B. Foundations of Language · Listening, Speaking and Word PowerExpression, Gestures and Body Language: How They Help Us Communicate
B1.4 A1.1 A3.2About 40 minutes
Learning goals- I can use vocal expression (volume, pace, tone, pauses and emphasis) to make my meaning clear.
- I can use gestures and body language that match my message.
- I can explain how expression, gestures and body language help people understand ideas and feelings.
- I can notice when a message is mixed, and remember that body language can mean different things to different people.
Words to know
non-verbal communication
Sending a message without words, using your face, hands and body.
expression
How you use your voice and face to show meaning and feeling.
emphasis
Saying a word with extra force so it stands out.
gesture
A movement of the hands, arms or head that adds meaning.
body language
What your posture, stance and movements tell others.
mixed message
When your words say one thing but your voice or body says another.
Remember from Grade 4
In Grade 4 you used your voice (volume, pace, tone and pauses), gestures, facial expressions and body language to match your words, and you read other people's non-verbal messages. In Grade 5 you'll focus on explaining how these tools help people understand, using emphasis to change meaning, and remembering that people and cultures don't all use body language the same way.
Let's start with a puzzle
Say this sentence out loud six times. Each time, press harder on the bold word:
- I didn't say she ate my cookie. (Someone else said it.)
- I didn't say she ate my cookie. (I never said that!)
- I didn't say she ate my cookie. (Maybe I hinted it.)
- I didn't say she ate my cookie. (Someone else ate it.)
- I didn't say she ate my cookie. (She ate someone else's.)
- I didn't say she ate my cookie. (She ate my muffin!)
The words never changed, but the meaning did. That's the power of emphasis.
How these tools help listeners
When you speak, listeners use more than your words to understand you:
- Emphasis points to the most important word.
- Pace helps: slow down for new or important facts so listeners can keep up.
- Pauses give listeners time to think, and build suspense in a story.
- Tone shows your feeling: excited, serious, worried, kind.
- Gestures show size, shape, direction or number (holding up three fingers for "three reasons").
- Posture (standing tall, facing the audience) shows confidence, so listeners trust you.
- Facial expressions show feelings that words may not say.
| Tool | How a speaker might use it | How it helps the listener |
|---|
| Emphasis | "Never touch a downed power line." | Shows which word matters most |
| Pause | "And behind the door was... a puppy!" | Builds suspense; listener pays attention |
| Gesture | Hands far apart for "a huge pike" | Shows size without extra words |
| Counting on fingers | "My second reason is..." | Helps listeners track the order of ideas |
| Serious face and tone | Explaining a fire drill | Shows the topic is important |
| Leaning in and nodding (as a listener) | During a friend's story | Shows the speaker you care |
Mixed messages
When your words and your body don't match, people usually believe the body. If someone says "I'm so excited for the class play" in a flat voice while staring at the floor, listeners will wonder if it's true. Good speakers make all their signals send the same message.
Body language isn't the same everywhere
People from different families, communities and cultures may use body language differently. For example, in some cultures looking directly into an elder's or teacher's eyes is polite, while in others, looking down a little shows respect. Some people use many hand gestures and some use very few. A person who is shy, or who is autistic, may show they're listening in other ways than eye contact.
So don't jump to conclusions. If you're not sure what someone's body language means, listen to their words and ask kindly.
Just for funTry saying "I am SO calm right now" while waving your arms and hopping on one foot. Nobody will believe your words, because your body is shouting the opposite!
Worked exampleLet's plan expression for a speech
Kiran will say this at a Remembrance Day assembly: "On November 11, we wear poppies to remember the people who served in wars and peacekeeping. At 11 o'clock, we will have two minutes of silence."
- Purpose and feeling: The topic is serious and respectful, so Kiran chooses a calm, serious tone and a slow pace.
- Emphasis: Kiran presses lightly on remember and two minutes of silence, the key ideas.
- Pause: a short pause after "...peacekeeping." gives listeners time to think.
- Gesture: Kiran could touch the poppy on their jacket when saying "we wear poppies." This connects the words to a real object.
- Body language: standing still and tall, facing the audience. No big, bouncy gestures, which wouldn't fit the mood.
- Explain how it helps: The slow pace and serious tone show the audience this is a time for respect, and the emphasis helps them remember the two minutes of silence.
Kiran's voice, face and body all match the serious, respectful message, so the audience understands both the facts and the feeling.
Practise in a mirror (or on video)
Watch yourself say a few sentences. Do your face and hands match your words? Are you swaying or fiddling? Small changes make a big difference.
Hands-on activityEmphasis and emotion cards
You need: 8 slips of paper, a pencil, a bowl and a family member.
- On 4 slips, write feelings: excited, worried, bored, proud.
- On 4 slips, write sentences: "We're having pizza tonight." "The bus is late." "I finished my project." "It's snowing again."
- Take one feeling and one sentence. Say the sentence with only your voice and body showing the feeling. Your partner guesses the feeling.
- Then explain which tools you used: tone? pace? face? posture? a gesture?
- Bonus: say one sentence twice, emphasizing a different word each time, and have your partner explain how the meaning changed.
What to look for: your child can name the specific tools ("I spoke slowly and sighed to show bored") and explain how they helped the listener guess.
Your turn
1Say "You finished the whole puzzle?" and then "You finished the whole puzzle?" How does the meaning change?
First: surprised that you (this person) did it. Second: surprised that the entire puzzle got done, not just part.
2Name a gesture that could help listeners understand "The ice was this thick."
Holding your thumb and finger apart (or hands apart) to show the thickness.
3Why might a speaker pause before an important announcement?
To get listeners' attention, build suspense, and give them time to get ready to hear it.
4What is a mixed message? Give an example.
When words and body don't match. Example: saying "I'm not angry" while frowning with crossed arms and a loud voice.
5How does a speaker's posture help the audience?
Standing tall and facing the audience shows confidence, so listeners feel the speaker knows the topic and they pay attention.
6What tone and pace fit a funny story?
A lively, playful tone and a pace that speeds up in exciting parts and pauses before the punchline.
7Why shouldn't you assume someone isn't listening just because they don't look you in the eye?
People and cultures show respect and attention differently. In some cultures, looking down a bit is respectful, and some people listen best without eye contact. Check their words or ask kindly.
More practice: warm-up
1Name the three toolkits for non-verbal communication.
Saying a word with extra force so it stands out.
3Show (or describe) a gesture for "three reasons."
Holding up three fingers.
4Which voice fits reading a scary story: fast and squeaky, or slow and low?
Usually slow and low, with pauses to build suspense.
5What does nodding usually show a speaker?
That you're listening and understand or agree.
More practice: on your own
1A classmate gives a report while swaying, looking at the ceiling and mumbling. Give two tips and explain how each helps the audience.
Examples: Stand still and tall, so listeners focus on the words instead of the swaying. Speak louder and more clearly, so everyone can hear. Look toward the audience, so they feel included.
2Read this with emphasis to show surprise: "There's a moose in our driveway!" Which word(s) would you emphasize and why?
moose (the surprising part) and perhaps our driveway. Emphasizing them shows what's unusual about the news.
3Explain how tone can change "Nice job."
A warm, bright tone means real praise. A flat or sarcastic tone could mean the opposite, that it wasn't a nice job.
4On a video call, the other person can see only your face and shoulders. What non-verbal tools still work?
Facial expressions, nodding, tone of voice, pace, pauses and gestures near your face or shoulders. Big body movements won't be seen.
5Why do people usually believe body language over words in a mixed message?
Body language and tone often show true feelings that people don't say out loud, and they're harder to hide.
Challenge
1Choose expression, a gesture and body language for this line from a persuasive speech: "Every single piece of litter we pick up protects our lake." Explain how each choice helps listeners.
Example: Expression: strong, sincere tone, emphasis on every single and protects, so listeners notice each piece counts. Gesture: holding up one finger at single piece, which shows one matters. Body: stand tall and look around at the audience, which shows confidence and includes everyone.
2Write the same sentence twice with a different emphasized word so that it answers two different questions: "We're going to the cottage on Saturday."
Example: "We're going to the cottage on Saturday." (answers Where are you going?) and "We're going to the cottage on Saturday." (answers When are you going?). Other words also work, like We're (who).
3Explain, in two or three sentences, why it's important to learn about how different people use body language.
Example: People come from many cultures and families, and the same gesture or amount of eye contact can mean different things. If we know this, we won't misjudge someone as rude or not listening. Instead we can ask, listen to their words and communicate respectfully with everyone.
Quiz
1. What does emphasizing a different word in a sentence change?
2. Which is a mixed message?
3. How does a pause help listeners?
4. Which gesture helps show size?
5. What tone fits a Remembrance Day speech?
6. Someone looks down while you talk to them. What is the best thing to think?
Big idea (B1.4): Grade 5 students identify and use expression, gestures and body language, and explain how these help them understand and communicate ideas and meaning. Discussing how body language varies between people and cultures connects to A3.2 (diverse perspectives) and A1.1 (communication skills).
How to help at home:
- Play the "emphasis game" with everyday sentences at dinner.
- Watch a short speech or a scene from a family movie with the sound off and talk about what the body language shows.
- When your child practises a presentation, ask: "Which word is most important? Show me with your voice."
Common difficulties:
- Over-acting or random gestures. Ask, "What does that gesture help us understand?"
- Rushing. Mark pause points with a slash in their notes.
- Respect your child's comfort: some children (for example, anxious or autistic children) find eye contact hard. Looking toward the audience's foreheads or scanning the room works too.